I ching fortune-telling game

ABSTRACT

A fortunetelling and competitive wagering game based upon the I Ching. Apparatus for the game includes 64 oracle cards, 3 octagonal dice and a selection board. Each card has displayed thereon a distinctive hexagram and a word, numeral, sign and fortunetelling sentence, each related to or expressing an attribute associated with the hexagram. Each facet of each dice has a symbol corresponding to a component of a hexagram. The selection board has 64 regions in an eight-by-eight array with each region having inscribed thereon a different hexagram. Pointers in slides are selectively alignable with columns and rows of the regions.

United States Patent [72] ln enl Kenneth Chew 1,529,263 3/1925 McGinnis273/147 2629CastelloWay,SantaC1ara,Cali/i. 2,526,300 10/1950 Todd273/152 UX 95051 2,549,495 4/1951 Lightfootet al... 273/152 UK [21]Appl. No. 835,920 3,124,357 3/1964 Preston 273/130 [22] Filed June23,1969 3,130,973 4/1964 Zapolski 273/147X Pate-"led p .1 71 3,208,7549/1965 Sieve 273/146 3,233,343 2/1966 Short 273/146 PrimaryExaminer-Anton O. Oechsle [54] ICHING FORTUNE-TELLING GAMEAttorney-Robert O. Webster 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 273/161, ABSTRACT: A fortunetemng and competitive wageringgame 273/34 273/134 273/136 273/146, based upon the I Ching. Apparatusfor the game includes 64 273/ 152-41 oracle cards, 3 octagonal dice anda selection board. Each [51] Int. Cl A6311 9/00 card has displayedthereon a distinctive hexagram and a word, [50] Field of Search 273/146, numeral, Sign and f t ui Sentence, each related to or 152A], 161expressing an attribute associated with the hexagram. Each facet of eachdice has a symbol corresponding to a component [56] Rekmm CM of ahexagram. The selection board has 64 regions in an eight- UNITED STATESPATENTS by-eight array with each region having inscribed thereon a dif-880,640 3/1908 Emerson 273/ 161 ferent hexagram. Pointers in slides areselectively alignable 1,526,803 2/1925 Miller 273/146 with columns androws ofthe regions.

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INVENTOR KENNETH CHEW ATTORNEY I ClililiNG FORTUNE-TELLHNG GAMEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionprovides a means of amusement generally classified as a game which isbased upon principles and precepts given serious consideration by asubstantial portion of the Earth's population. The invention, inaddition to disclosing a method for obtaining an oracle, provides abasis for competitive wagering. Apparatus employed includes unique diceas chance devices, a novel selection board for interpreting the dice andcards disclosing the fortunetelling aspect.

2. Description of the Prior Art Most fortune telling devices arefrivolous and are not cable nor are they intended for seriousinterpretation. The means most often employed are subject to pure chanceand have no association with the serious arcs of prognostication. Forinstance there are oracle games employing cards which when arrangedaccording to chance selection disclose words or phrases which combineinto meaningful sentences. A variation of the chance verbage techniqueis to employ pictures of pictograrns which may be combined to provide anidentifiable legend. Such oracle games rely upon clever selection ofverbage or illustrations which regardless of sequence are seeminglymeaningful. There are thus no historic principles employed.

The venerable science of astrology has been utilized as the basis forcompetitive games. Included in the procedure may be the devination ofthe supposed influences of the stars upon human affairs and terrestrailevents by their positions and aspects. There has been no attempt toutilize the ancient beliefs of the Orient in a manner consistent withtheir practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Two factors which make a game interesting arethe principle involved and mechanism or manipulations employed by whichthe principle is put into operation by participants. The subject oraclegame is based on the principle of the I Ching, ancient Chinese Book ofChanges, in which fortunes are told by means of 64 diagrams. The I Chingassigns an attribute to each diagram. A diagram is selected by chancefor an individual and his fortune or oracle is thus indicated by anassigned attribute from the I Ching. All 64 diagrams of the I Ching areused in this game with slightly different assignment of attributes tothe diagrams where necessitated by translation to the English language.Every effort has been made, however, to preserve the authenticity ofmeaning employed in the I Ching.

Another principle in the I Ching is that the future or ones fortune asprophesied by the diagrams, may be altered by certain subsequent action.A similar concept is employed in this game whereby a players fortune maybe altered by chance and his skill in wagering.

Traditionally, groups of sticks are used through a series of complexmanipulations and chance selection to determine the diagram appropriateto any given individual. In the subject invention unique dice are usedto select the diagrams. A novel selection board is provided tofacilitate identification of the diagram and determine alternativeselections as hereinafter disclosed. Sixty-four cards, one for eachdiagram. are provided to identify attribute and characteristicsassociated with each diagram.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a novel gamebased upon a unique application of the ancient principles ofthe I Ching.

Another object is to provide a novel form of amusement which may beplayed as solitaire or for group diversion.

Another object is to provide a fortunetelling game wherein a player'sfortune and competitive position depend upon a combination of chance andskill.

A further object is to provide apparatus for playing a game which shallprove interesting in manner of manipulation as well as application.

Other objects and advantages of the game and apparatus by which it isplayed will become apparent and be best; un derstood from the followingdetailed description when read with reference to the accompanyingdrawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a detailed plan view of arepresentative playing card.

FIG. 2 is a detailed representation of two opposing beta grams.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one dice used in playing the game.

FIG. il is a cross-sectional view of a dice illustrating distribution offacial markings thereon.

FIG. 5 is a plan view ofa selection board used in identified tion ofappropriate diagrams.

FIG. 6 is a detailed representation of two related hers. grams.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a selection board as used to identity diagrams.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The game apparatus comprises thefollowing basic com" ponents:

A deck of 64 cards Three special dice v A selection board A supplyofscript, chips or play money Copy ofmethods or rules for playing thegame.

Each of the foregoing components or instrumentalities is hereindescribed with particularity in the order named, and under theappropriate headings as follows:

DECK OF CARDS A deck of 64 cards is used to relate the conceptualindicia of the game. The cards consist essentially of sheets of asuitable material such as paper, cardboard or plastic having appropriate dimensions, for example 2% inches by 3 /2 inches, forconvenient handling. Related indicia of the game are displayed on onesurface of each card. FIG. I is a detailed plan view of a representativeoracle card illustrating indicia of related characteristics. The cardlit in FIG. ll has displayed thereon a diagram ill, an attribute word orphrase H, a sign I3, a numerical ranlr M, a fortunetelling sentence itsand a picture lb.

The diagram iii depicts a hexagram 21 made up of an upper trigram 23 anda lower trigarn 2 as illustrated in MG. 2. Each trigram is in turncomprised of three solid 25 or broken lines. All possible combinationsand permutations of the solid 25 and broken 26 lines as arranged withinthe hexagram form are utilized. There are thus 64 different hexagramspossible and consistent with the I Ching there is a distinct attributeassignable to each hexagram. Each card also has a fortunetellingsentence in accordance with the attribute assigned.

The 64 hexagrams may be further divided into 32 pairs of opposites withopposing hexagrams and attributes. For exam-- ple, the hexagrams Jilland 22 of FIG. 2) are opposites, since each solid line 25 of thehexagram 21 is replaced by a broken line 26 in hexagram 2?. and viceversa. Thus opposite attributes are assigned to these opposinghexagrams, as hexagram 21 to mean DAY and hexagram 2.2 to means NIGHT.

Each card is marked positive or negative by means of a plus or minussign in accordance with the opposing diagrams and attributes describedabove. Thus the card It) of FIG. is marked with a plus sign l3associated with the hexagram fill and the hexagram 2.2 would beassociated with a minus sign on its distinctive card.

Each of the 64 cards has a numerical rank id, as indicated in FIG. I,from one to 64 in a general pattern of ascending desirability ofascribed attributes. The numeral rank is used for evaluation in theCompetitive Game of Fortune described below. The numerical rankings mayadditionally be employed to systematically stack or arrange the cardsfor easy identification and recovery. Numerical ranks and associatedhexagrams are also indicated on the selection board 40 as illustrated inFIG. 5.

A fortunetelling sentence 15 appears on each card commensurate with theparticular attribute indicated thereon. A picture 16 provides adecorative feature for each card and may depict a scene or figuresymbolically associated with the sentence 15 or representative of theattribute l2 appearing on the particular card.

The conceptual indicia of the game are listed below in order of rank asrelated on the 64 cards:

Rank: Attribute: Sign: Fortunetelling Sentence:

I War Conflict and destruction cannot be averted.

2 Evil Be prepared to contend against evil.

3 Cowardice Cowardly behavior will bring about defeat.

4 Weak Display of weakness will lead to serious consequences.

5 Foe You will clash with your enemy.

6 Oppression Oppressive atmosphere may make you suffer.

7 To Disintegrate Collapse is emminent due to disintegration.

8 Injustice Injustice will befall upon you.

9 Short You will fall short of your expectations.

l Disunity Disorganization will lead to chaos.

l l Unsuccessful Your attempt will be met with failure.

l2 Falsehood Untruthfulness will result losses.

l3 Difficult You will encounter difficulty.

l4 Minor Minor disturbances may cause great problems.

l Poor Poverty may threaten your immediate future.

l6 Conceit Arrogance will prove to be your downfall.

I? To Oppose Opposition will be encountered.

It! To Decrease Your good fortune will be diminished.

l9 Incomplete incompleteness will lead to unfavorable results.

To Retreat Retreating under adversity is a wise decision.

2l Limited Various limitations will impede your selfactualization.

22 Indecision Indeeisiveness may cause undue anxiety.

23 Abyss Danger may be in store for you.

24 Stranger Beware of any stranger that you meet.

25 Varying Changing conditions demand your alertness.

26 External External environment will be alarming to you.

27 Night You will pass through a period of darkness.

28 Following Caution is advised in dealing with the subsequenccs.

29 Girl Love and marriage enter your life.

30 Calm Sea You will experience a tranquil state of mind.

3| Individual Individual action will be advantageous.

32 Earth Your life on earth is secured.

33 Preceding The precedent will guide you to good fortune.

34 Internal Inner confidence will brighten your prospect.

35 Group Group action may be desirable.

36 Constant Maintenance of constancy will bring you fulfillment.

37 Relative The aid of a relative will delight you.

38 Unlimited Unlimited opportunities are open to you.

39 Mountain High aims may be rewarding.

40 To Cooperate Cooperation will be profitable in your undertaking.

4I Easy You will score good gains with case.

42 Friend Close friendship will warm your heart.

43 To Integrate Integrated effort will be most fruitful.

44 Boy A promising future awaits youv 45 Rich Great riches will comeyour way.

46 Day Your coming days will be sunny and bright.

47 Long He who is long in virtues will be handsomely rewarded.

48 Thundering Sky Display of might may be advantageous.

49 Resoluteness Firm determination will bring you good fortune.

50 Modesty Your modesty will result unexpected benefitsv 51 To AdvanceIt is advisable to make advances.

52 Complete Your life will be complete.

53 To Increase Your gains will be subjected to further increases.

54 Major Major benefits await you.

55 Successful Success will come your way.

56 Unity Unity will lead to favorable results.

57 Justice Justice will be administered.

58 Strong Exhibition ol'strength will bring you success.

59 Courage Courageous action will bring you fame.

60 Good Your well-maintained goodness will bring you joy.

61 Peace Peace will come to your life.

62 Truth Truthfulness will resolve your problems.

63 Freedom Total freedom will bring you bliss.

64 Heaven Heaven is within your reach.

SPECIAL DICE Any of a variety of chance selection means, such asspinning tops, spinning pointer indicators, etc., may be used todetermine the hexagram appropriate to an individual player. A set ofunique dice have been found to be advantageous in selec tion ofhexagrams. One of these unique dice made of wood, ivory, plastic orsimilar material, is illustrated in FIG. 3. An individual dice 30comprises a block having eight similar rectangular facets 31 arranged ina single group around one axis of the block and terminating at truncatedconical sections 52 at each end of the axis. Upon each facet appears asymbol 33 comprised of a solid line 25, a broken line 26 or circled ordifferently colored solid 27 or broken 28 lines. Distribution of symbolsabout the dice, as illustrated in FIG. 4, provide results statisticallyequivalent to hose derived from traditional practice ofthe I Ching.

Three dice constitute a set and are serially numbered 1, 2 and 3, theordinal number 34 of each dice appearing on the truncated conicalsections 32 thereof. When thrown, one facet of each die upon coming torest, is in a common reading position. The readable symbols of the setof dice, taken in numeri- 3 Fi 511i mi seqimrinn as indicated by dirtordinni nnrnirrzrs, or other indicizr, thereon, constitutr: ililfi threelines, trip in i'mttnm, of a trigrarn. Twn thrown at thr: set of diet:arr: iii'tWE rnqnii'rad to idnnti ty time twn tr mrna nncmrnry todnfinr: grant. .riix dim at m m, bi: usrnd tn idnntity n11 nix iinnu ofn iinit'wrnrn sirnnita 1w nut norm of tin: s

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Competitive Game of Fortune Played by two to eight participants actingin sequence, preferably as seated around a table. The selection board ispositioned between the players, the deck of cards are shuffled, cut andplaced face down alongside the selection board. Each player is given asimilar sum in script of play money, for instance the amount 75, and theremainder of script or play money set aside as the the bank".

The objective of the game is for each player to obtain a fortune ororacle by chance and then he is given an opportunity to increase hisfortune by chance and skill in wagering as follows:

In turn each player rolls the set of dice twice and by the selectionboard, as described in Obtaining an Oracle above, identifies one or twohexagrams and their related numerical ranks. The player then receivesfrom the bank" an amount of script or play money equal to the numericalrank of the hexagrams identified. The player then draws from the top ofthe deck one or two cards according to the number of hexagramsidentified. Since cards have been shuffled and are face down the cardsdrawn do not necessarily correspond to the hexagrams identified, thusdiffering from the procedure described in Obtaining an Oracle. Eachplayer keeps the face of cards drawn secret to himself.

The players must each evaluate his hand of one or two cards heldaccording to the following:

if he holds one card the value of his hand is the numerical rank of hiscard.

If he holds two cards with similar signs, both plus or both minus, thevalue of his hand is the sum of numerical ranks held.

if he holds two cards with dissimilar signs, one plus and one minus, thevalue of his hand is the difference obtained by subtracting the lessernumerical rank from the greater numerical rank held.

A hand of higher value wins over those of lesser value. Where two handsof equal value, the hand containing the highest ranked card wins.

After each player has had an opportunity to evaluate his hand a wageringprocedure is followed:

Each player, at his option, either drops out or participates in bettingby placing a bet in the pot. Limit of bets is as previously agreed upon.All participating players then show their hands and player with highestvalue hand wins the pot.

Or, each player bets in accordance with the rules of Poker. Startingwith a designated first player, each player in turn may choose to:

Drop out; or

Call to stay in, meaning his total bet in the pot" equals the previoushighest bet; or

Call and raise, meaning in addition to matching the previous highest betan added amount is put into the pot."

One or more rounds of betting occurs until a player has made a bet thatno other player is willing to match. The one making such a bet winningthe "pot" without showing his hand. Or, all bets are equalized, i.e.,betting reaches the point when the betting sequence returns to theplayer making the last highest bet and every intervening player haseither called or dropped. Thus all participating players show theirhands and the player with the highest value hand wins the pot.

In the process of playing the game, used cards are collected and stackedface down. Upon depletion of original deck the whole deck is reshuffled,cut and reused. The game continues by repeating the playing steps untilit becomes apparent that the bank is depleted. The player holding thegreatest fortune, as measured by the value of script or play money held,at

the end of the game is the winner.

Whereas certain forms of the invention have been shown and described, itshould be taken in an illustrative or diagrammatic sense only. There aremany variations and modifications which will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art which will not depart from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. l, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is: 1. An oracle game apparatus comprising a deck of 64oracle cards each card having displayed thereon a distinctive hexagramcomprising an upper trigram and a lower trigram, each said trigramhaving three lines in vertical array said lines being from a groupcomprising broken and solid lines, a word expressing an attributeassociated with each hexagram according to the I Ching, a numeral fromthe group one to 64 being generally associated with the degree ofdesirability of said attribute, a sign designating those cards numberedfrom one to 32 negative and designating those cards numbered from 33 to64 positive, a fortunetelling sentence related to said attribute, and apictorial representation related to said attribute; three dice each diehaving indicia identifying trigram represented and eight similar facetsarranged in a continuous group about an axis, each facet displaying oneof a group of four symbols in the following manner: solid line on threefacets, broken line on three facets, circled solid line on one facet andcircled broken line on one facet; a selection board having a fiatsurface with a field delineated thereon having eight vertical columnseach column being identified with a different upper trigram, eighthorizontal rows each row being identified with a different lowertrigram, and 64 regions defined by the intersections of said columns androws each said region having inscribed therein a hexagram composed ofthe trigrams identifying the column and row defining said region, slidesalong two adjacent edges of said field, and primary and secondarypointers moveable along each of said slides and alignable with saidcolumns and rows, said primary pointers distinguishable from secondarypointers located on each side thereof. 2. An oracle game apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said oracle cards have on one surface thereof an upperregister displaying said distinctive hexagram, said attribute word andsaid design; a lower register having said fortunetelling sentence; andthe area between said upper and lower registers displaying saidpictorial representation and said ranking numeral.

1. An oracle game apparatus comprising a deck of 64 oracle cards eachcard having displayed thereon a distinctive hexagram comprising an uppertrigram and a lower trigram, each said trigram having three lines invertical array said lines being from a group comprising broken and solidlines, a word expressing an attribute associated with each hexagramaccording to the I Ching, a numeral from the group one to 64 beinggenerally associated with the degree of desirability of said attribute,a sign designating those cards numbered from one to 32 negative anddesignating those cards numbered from 33 to 64 positive, afortunetelling sentence related to said attribute, and a pictorialrepresentation related to said attribute; three dice each die havingindicia identifying trigram represented and eight similar facetsarranged in a continuous group about an axis, each facet displaying oneof a group of four symbols in the following manner: solid line on threefacets, broken line on three facets, circled solid line on one facet andcircled broken line on one facet; a selection board having a flatsurface with a field delineated thereon having eight vertical columnseach column being identified with a different upper trigram, eighthorizontal rows each row being identified with a different lowertrigram, and 64 regions defined by the intersections of said columns androws each said region having inscribed therein a hexagram composed ofthe trigrams identifying the column and row defining said region, slidesalong two adjacent edges of said field, and primary and secondarypointers moveable along each of said slides and alignable with saidcolumns and rows, said primary pointers distinguishable from secondarypointers located on each side thereof.
 2. An oracle game apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said oracle cards have on one surface thereof an upperregister displaying said distinctive hexagram, said attribute word andsaid design; a lower register having said fortunetelling sentence; andthe area between said upper and lower registers displaying saidpictorial representation and said ranking numeral.